Looking for kid leashes / harnesses advices

[Picodegallo]

Hello all !
I don't know if anyone here will be able to help me but i think this forum is the most indicated place to look for advices
Here is why i need you :
We are a french family who will make a month long trip to USA and of course, we'll spend several days in the disney parks and other theme parks.
Our 3 kids are 6, 8 and 10.
None of them speaks a single word of english and we are TERRIFIED that any of them could get lost in parks or other crowded places we'll visit.
So we're looking for some kind of leashes / harnesses to physically connect them to us.

Here in france, there is no way to find those kind of harnesses but they seems quite popular in USA.
I'd like to order the leashes / harnesses before our trip (in november) so we'll have them ready.

I've made a quick search on this forum about the leash topic and I know that some may think :
The 2 older are way too old for a harness...
We'll look like "dog walkers" with all our kids tethered to us...
We are "bad parents" that can't control their kids...
That being said, can you please share with us your experiences with leashes / harnesses and let us know what kind we should use ?

Thx a lot !

Fanny

 

[mjkacmom]

As someone who used them for her toddler twins (one being a runner), you will not see anyone using harnesses for kids older than 3 or 4. This is a joke, yes?

 

[Jarmo]

For the older kids, you could make up a card in English with your contact information (cell phone, your hotel, etc) that the kids can give to an employee if they get separated.

 

[Mousemommy1]

If I ever tried to put leashes on my kids at those ages, they might have gone and tried to find a new family.

 

[Picodegallo]

Thanks for your answers.No it is not a joke, we're really looking for a way to be sure that we won't get separated from our kids.
The card idea is very nice and we'll do that but we're relly looking for a way to "connect" the kids to us, not all the time but clearly for the theme parks and other crowded places.
I think my kids can understand that it is a safety measure and accept it quite well... i hope !

 

[Jess_S]

We have a Skip Hop backpack with a "leash" for DS, who is 2 and a half. I used the "leash" for our family trip to the Grand Canyon and sometimes when we ride the subway -- basically just those places where getting away from me could mean instant danger. As you predicted, I agree that your kids are too old for harnesses. Unless your kids are very small, I think you'll have an issue even finding harnesses that are sized for an older child.

 

[Gracie09]

Please don't, especially for the older. Have them hold hands in crowded places if you need to. Many castmembers speak other languages, including french.
I have used hold on handles for when my two were younger. Those worked well for keeping them together when they wanted out of the stroller
http://greaterthanonekids.com/

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You have GOT to be kidding. No one over the age of about 3 should need a leash to stay with mom and dad unless there is some kind of developmental issue at play. If you are truly scared they will wonder off, buy a cheap prepaid phone when you get to the states, give them the number and teach them to tell a cast member they are lost and give them the number. Leasing them to you, in addition to being horribly embarrassing to them, will create traffic issues with that many people connected together in a crowded park. There is a reason you cannot find a harness for a 10 year old. There should never be a need for one.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

It would be safer to hold hands at that age. It is one thing for a toddler to fall down when suddenly pulled a different direction (I used to joke that they bounced at that age), but it is completely different for an older child.

 

[lanejudy]

Honestly, while I understand your concern in a foreign environment, I personally think all 3 of your kids are too old for such things unless one has developmental issues requiring extra precaution.

I would start by teaching them some basic English -- from your writing you appear to have very good English so hopefully your children will catch on quickly if you practice a few helpful phrases at home each day. Make sure they have your contact information in their pocket each day. And take a cell phone picture of them each morning so you can show what they are wearing that day if you get separated. It really shouldn't be particularly different than taking them out in your own country once you have prepared them with a few basic phrases. I doubt you would "leash" your children for an outing at home, presumably they are old enough to stay close without that physical connection or to hold hands if you require that.

If you truly need a device, I don't think the "harness" style is likely to fit kids older than toddlers. There are some wrist styles available; mainly to facilitate hand-holding. Try Googling child-safety-wrist-strap or look on eBay. As mentioned, if they wander further than arms length you are creating a safety hazard not only for your children, but also yourself and anyone else who might get tangled in it. Imagine what might happen if someone on an ECV or pushing a stroller managed to get between you and your child; that "leash" could choke or injury another party. Hand-holding is likely your best option.

Enjoy your vacation!

 

[ammag]

Definitely do not do the leash thing. It's rare to see them on toddlers where we are in nyc. I've used them a few times but that kid was a two year old runner. I only did it at a festival.

The card wiht basic info to contact you is the best idea, all three kids should be able to pass that along to someone. I
If you are still concerned you could try the gps locators, slip them in their bag or to their shoes and you can track on your phone.

 

[luvmy2babies]

How big is the 6 year-old? Before I would harness any child that old, I would rent a stroller for the 6 year-old and attach a ring on each side for the older two to hold. If you’re really going to connect them, it’s best it be something they put their hands in to hold on.

I’ve had at times, a short strap attached to my belt loop that my younger child holds in situations where my hands are full and his 12 year-old sister isn’t with us to hold his hand. At those ages, they should be able to put their hands in and take them out. Like this thing maybe. Just make sure it is as short as possible.

http://www.amazon.com/ViveVita-Grip...491648&sr=8-6&keywords=childrens+walking+rope

Harnessing a child over 4 or 5 that hasn’t some type of developmental/medical challenge warranting it isn’t something I’d do. I saw an older child harnessed once. He was at his mother’s shoulder in height easily when they stood together and walked behind them harnessed. It was obvious from how they were dressed they were not from close by; but “mortified” is a universal language. I will never forget his face.

And I say this as one who has used a harness. My son was a big time runner. He is 5 now and I no longer use it. We still use a stroller for Disney or our zoo but other than that, he has an “If I’m lost” wristband with my contact information.

I would also get these. https://www.vitalid.com/product-category/child-id/

You write your contact information on the inside and all the child has to do is give it to a cast member. My daughter wore this at 9 and 10. You can teach them to say “I lost my parents” and pull out the paper. My daughter and I were separated at Epcot when she was 9, and when I found her, she was handing the cast member the paper.

 

[gwynne]

nt

 

[Picodegallo]

Thanks to all for your answers.
I thought that leashes where more common in the USA but it seems that i was mistaken
Even if i understand all your arguments, i'm still quite sure that some kind of physical connection between us will really make our trip more enjoyable.
The ring or strap idea is great but they can just let it go so it'll not ensure that they stay near us.
None of my kids have a mental disorder but as any kids, they tend to just let their mind slip away and often got separated from us.
Here in France, it's frightening but in a foreign country, it's more than that.
I hope you'll understand my concern about their safety and our peace of mind.
regarding the potential hasard that the leash can create, you're absolutely right but the leash will only be there as a backup to hand holding so i think it'll not be a problem.

 

[gwynne]

nt

 

[Mayhem1976]

I agree I think that they are too old. I would go over with them what cast members wear, introduce them to one so that they can see the name tags etc. Teach them some phrases in English so that they could let a cast member know that they are lost. I can understand it being stressful being in another country.

Also, you can get tattoos that you can write your cell number on http://www.safetytat.com/

 

[Picodegallo]

I just had a talk with my kids about the harness idea as i was concerned they might feel uncomfortable as someone said aerlier (i hadn't thought about that and was a bit worried...). The younger is clearly AGAINST the idea and don't want to ear anything about it... on the other hand, his sisters find the idea very "clever" and even want us to involve them in the search process for what we'll use.
That being said, the tatoo idea is very interesting and i've ordered some, thans for the link.
We'll make the trip as "kid oriented" as possible and will keep their pace, not too fast and take all the time needed for them to enjoy the journey.
We'll not take a stroller as the younger is out of it since many years and THAT will make him feel very uncomfortable

 

[usnuzuloose]

You could write down your name and cell phone number and put it in their pocket so if they do get separated they could give it to a cast member and they can call you.

 

[cath1979]

j ai préparé des insignes pour mes enfants avec les infos principales et la façon de nous contacter (j'ai écrit qu'ils ne parlaient que francais). J ai aussi préparé mes enfants a identifier le personnel de Disney s'ils se perdaient. J'avais acheté un sac a dos avec courroie sur Ebay pour ma fille de 2 ans au dernier voyage, mais je ne l'ai jamais utilisé.. pour l enfant de 3 ans, je recommande plus de le trimbaler dans la poussette, il sera moins fatigué et vous aurez un oeil dessus. Pour vos autres enfants, je ne crois pas les harnais nécessaire,si vous y allez a deux parents.. faits la règle simple, j ai deux mains, chacun une main et vous ne la lachez pas.. J'avais la meme crainte, mais je me suis rendue compte que finalement.. les enfants restaient très près de nous justement parce qu'ils craignaient de ne pas etre compris des autres.

 

[gwynne]

j ai préparé des insignes pour mes enfants avec les infos principales et la façon de nous contacter (j'ai écrit qu'ils ne parlaient que francais). J ai aussi préparé mes enfants a identifier le personnel de Disney s'ils se perdaient. J'avais acheté un sac a dos avec courroie sur Ebay pour ma fille de 2 ans au dernier voyage, mais je ne l'ai jamais utilisé.. pour l enfant de 3 ans, je recommande plus de le trimbaler dans la poussette, il sera moins fatigué et vous aurez un oeil dessus. Pour vos autres enfants, je ne crois pas les harnais nécessaire,si vous y allez a deux parents.. faits la règle simple, j ai deux mains, chacun une main et vous ne la lachez pas.. J'avais la meme crainte, mais je me suis rendue compte que finalement.. les enfants restaient très près de nous justement parce qu'ils craignaient de ne pas etre compris des autres.

Excellent suggestions. But, please note: @Picodegallo youngest child is 6, not 3. I'm not sure what would work for a 3 year old is also going to be just right for a 6 year old.